Elazığ, Turkey

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Elazığ, Turkey

Region: Elazığ

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Geographic Coordinates: 38.674400, 39.222800

Climate: Seasonal.

Population: 421726

Language: Turkish

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Elazığ is a city situated in the eastern region of Turkey on the banks of the Murat River. The city has a population of over 350, 000 people and is an important center for industry and commerce. Elazığ is known for its rich history, Cultural heritage, And natural beauty. One of Elazığ’s most significant historical landmarks is Harput Castle. This impressive fortress dates back to the Urartian period and was later used by various civilizations such as the Byzantines, Seljuks, Mongols, And Ottomans. Visitors can explore its walls and towers while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Another must-visit attraction in Elazığ is Hazar Lake. This stunning lake covers an area of around 5 square kilometers and offers visitors a chance to relax amidst beautiful scenery with opportunities for boating or fishing. Elazığ also boasts several museums that showcase its rich cultural heritage. The Elazığ Museum houses artifacts from different periods including Urartian pottery, Roman coins, Islamic calligraphy pieces as well as ethnographic items like traditional costumes. For those interested in exploring local cuisine or shopping for souvenirs, Elazığ’s bazaars are worth visiting.

The historic Keban Bazaar offers visitors a chance to try traditional Turkish dishes such as kebab or baklava while browsing through shops selling handmade crafts like carpets or ceramics. Elazığ hosts several annual festivals that celebrate local culture such as Harput Culture Days which includes traditional music performances along with exhibitions showcasing local handicrafts like needlework or woodcarving. Elazığ’s location makes it an ideal base for exploring other nearby attractions such as Mount Nemrut National Park which contains ancient statues depicting gods from Greek mythology set against stunning mountain views.

Elazığ offers something unique to every visitor with its rich history and culture combined with natural beauty making it a must-visit destination in Turkey.

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1. Harput Castle
2. Hazar Lake
3. Elazığ Archaeological Museum
4. Maden Dam and Lake
5. Keban Dam and Lake
6. Çobandede Bridge
7. Kurşunlu Mosque
8. Ulu Mosque
9. Şehit Fethi Bey Parkı
10. Gazi Süleyman Paşa Complex

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1. Agriculture: Elazığ is a hub for agricultural production with crops such as wheat, barley, fruits and vegetables as well as livestock.
2. Mining: The city has abundant mineral deposits including iron ore, copper and lead-zinc ores.
3. Textile industry: Elazığ has several textile factories producing clothing products for both local and international markets.
4. Construction industry: Recent years have seen significant growth in construction projects such as residential buildings, commercial complexes and hospitals.
5. Tourism industry: The city boasts several historical landmarks like Harput Castle and Ulu Mosque which attract many tourists annually.
6. Education sector: Several universities contribute significantly to the economy of the city by providing employment opportunities for locals while attracting students from other parts of Turkey and abroad.
7. Food processing industry: Many food processing companies operate in Elazig producing dairy products (cheese), meat products (sausages) canned vegetables etc., which are supplied throughout Turkey.

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1. The Battle of Malazgirt, also known as Manzikert, was a significant event in Turkish history when the Seljuk Turks defeated the Byzantine army near Elazığ in 1071. This battle marked a turning point and led to the establishment of the Seljuk Empire.
2. Harput Castle is a medieval fortress located on a hill overlooking Elazığ which was built by the Byzantines in the 9th century. Throughout history, it has been used by various empires including Mongols, Ottomans and Seljuks.
3. Ibrahim Hakkı Erzurumi was an influential Islamic scholar who lived in Elazığ during the 18th century and wrote several books on Sufism. He is considered one of Turkey’s most important religious figures.
4. Kazım Karabekir was born in Elazığ and played an instrumental role as a Turkish general and politician during Turkey’s War of Independence against foreign powers after World War I.
5. Ziya Gökalp spent much of his childhood in Elazığ where his father served as a judge before becoming an influential poet, writer, and sociologist during both Ottoman period and early years of modern Turkey.
6. The Hazar Lake Disaster occurred due to an earthquake measuring 6.4 on Richter scale that struck near Elazığ in 1998 causing widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure across eastern Turkey including Hazar Lake Dam which collapsed killing more than 70 people.
7. Murat Kurnas is originally from Elazığ province although he was born to Turkish parents living Germany . He spent five years without charge or trial at Guantanamo Bay detention camp before being released .
8. The Sivrice Earthquake occurred recently ,in January 2020 when magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck near town Sivrice located within province killing over forty people while injuring hundreds others .

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1. Harput Castle
2. Elazığ Archeology and Ethnography Museum
3. Hazar Lake
4. Çobandede Bridge
5. Keban Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant
6. Elazığ City Mosque
7. Harput Ulu Mosque
8. Atatürk Statue and Park
9. Elazığ Cinema Museum
10. Şehit Fethi Sekin City Park

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1. Elazığspor is a well-known sports team in Elazığ, Turkey.
2. It was established in 1967 and has a remarkable track record of achievements in Turkish football.
3. The team has participated in several levels of Turkish football, including the Süper Lig, TFF First League, and TFF Second League.
4. Another noteworthy sports team from Elazığ is Elazığ İl Özel İdaresi Gençlik ve Spor Kulübü (Elazığ Provincial Special Administration Youth and Sports Club).
5. The club was established in 2004 and competes in various sports such as basketball, volleyball, handball, wrestling, athletics, and swimming.
6. Apart from these teams, there are also numerous amateur clubs that participate in various local leagues throughout the city.

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1. Elazığ International Folk Dance Festival is an event that brings together folk dance groups from all over the world to showcase their traditional dances and costumes.
2. The Elazığ Culture and Arts Festival is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of Elazığ. It features traditional music, dance, food, and crafts.
3. Harput Culture Days is held in the historic district of Harput and highlights the unique culture of this ancient city through exhibitions, concerts, and workshops.
4. The Elazığ Hazelnut Festival celebrates one of Turkey’s largest hazelnut producers with tastings, competitions, and entertainment.
5. Although not technically in Elazığ province itself (it’s located just across the border in Agri), many climbers from Elazığ participate in the International Mount Ararat Climbing Festival which celebrates Turkey’s highest mountain peak.
6. The Keban Dam Lake Festival takes place on the shores of Keban Dam Lake near Elazığ city center and features boat races, sporting events, fishing competitions, and other activities for visitors to enjoy.
7. Black Sea Cultural Week is organized by local authorities every year during August-September period to showcase Black Sea region’s unique culture & traditions through various events such as music,dance shows,theater performances,fashion shows etc.

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• Çağdaş Restaurant: This restaurant is famous for its traditional Turkish dishes such as kebabs, pide, and lahmacun.
• Hasırcılar Kebap Salonu: This restaurant is known for its delicious lamb kebabs cooked on a wood-fired grill.
• Şahin Usta: This restaurant serves traditional Elazığ dishes such as çortik (a type of pastry), tandır (slow-cooked lamb), and baklava.
• Börekçi Tevfik: This bakery specializes in börek (savory pastries) filled with cheese, spinach, or meat.
• Köşk Pastanesi: This bakery is famous for its Elazığ-style desserts such as cevizli sucuk (walnut sausage) and şireli kadayıf (sweet shredded phyllo dough).
• Aksüt Künefe Salonu: This dessert shop serves the popular Turkish dessert künefe made with shredded phyllo dough filled with melted cheese and topped with syrup.
• İmam Çağdaş Lokantası: This restaurant offers a variety of traditional Turkish dishes including soups, stews, and meze plates.

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Parks and Recreation

1. Harput Castle is a historical castle located on a hilltop, offering panoramic views of the city.
2. Hazar Lake is a large artificial lake surrounded by green hills and forests, popular for boating and fishing.
3. Elazığ Atatürk Forest Park is a large park with walking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds.
4. Elazığ Kent Park is an urban park with a lake, fountain shows, and various recreational facilities.
5. Sivrice Canyon National Park is a natural park with hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic views of the canyon.
6. Munzur Valley National Park is a mountainous national park with diverse flora and fauna species including bears and wolves.
7. Çatalçeşme Thermal Spring are natural hot springs located in a forested area near the city center.
8. Keban Dam Reservoir is an artificial lake created by Keban Dam on Euphrates River that offers fishing opportunities as well as boat tours to nearby islands.
9. Fırat Üniversitesi Botanic Garden has an area of 50 hectares which are covered by 1000 different plant species from Turkey’s flora.
10. Tahtoba Ski Resort located on Mount Munzur; it’s one of the popular winter sports destinations in Turkey offering skiing, snowboarding etc.

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Collect Moments, Not Things.

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